UOW campus a 'ghost town' - so uni cafes asking new customers to come visit

UOW's move to online learning to reduce the spread of COVID-19 left businesses without much foot traffic around the campus.

And with face-to-face lectures and tutorials not expected to resume until March next year, business owners are pushing for new people to come explore what the grounds have to offer.

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Gypsy Jones cafe owner Nicole Mayne said the privately-owned businesses around campus were struggling.

"We have 95 per cent less revenue than before COVID," she said. "My staff are receiving JobKeeper payments but when that ends in September then I will have to make my staff redundant as there won't be the turnover to keep them on.

"That is the most devastating part".

Ms Mayne said there was a long road ahead for the businesses.

"The university believes it won't recover back to where it was prior to the coronavius until 2023," she said. "But we expect business to increase next year once students and staff return to campus.

"The university is also in a difficult position. We all need to work together to ensure we survive."

The business owner said she could no longer rely on students and staff to support the business and had to reach out to target a broader customer base.

"The general public has no idea the university, and business, are open to everyone," she said. "Some people have never thought of coming to the university.

"The grounds are a beautiful place to visit to go for a walk, ride a bike or visit the food and beverage outlets."

She said the prices at the business were generally cheaper than at other cafes as they cater to a student market who have less disposable income.

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Panizzi Cafe owner Vito Rizzo said his business had weathered the downturn a little easier than other cafes on campus because cafe was next to the library, which had remained open throughout the restrictions.

"A good thing about coming to the university now is that parking is free," he said. "Usually during session it is so hard to find a car spot but now you can.

"People can bring their families, have a coffee or lunch, walk around, ride their bikes and enjoy the nice area.

"Supporting the businesses also supports local job. We mainly employ uni students so if people support us then we can keep jobs and keep the money in the local economy."

Mr Rizzo said his landlords and UOW had provided support and had cared about their well-being through the difficult time.

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Ugly Ducking Cafe owner George Antoniou agreed saying UOW was in constant communication with him.

"We encourage anyone to come visit the uni as it is a nice place to spend time with the kids, especially at the duck pond," he said.

Ms Mayne said the Wollongong Botanic Gardens was also just across the road so people could make a day of their visit to the campus.

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